Millionaire Accepts a Friend’s Dare, and Ends Up Falling for the Woman He Meets That Night
The Dare and the First Meeting
“You won’t do it, Garrett,” Bryce said, grinning like a lunatic across the table at Vesper Bar. “You’re all talk. You never take a real risk unless it’s calculated and comes with a contract.”
Garrett Alden leaned back in his chair, swirling the amber liquid in his glass. He could buy this entire bar ten times over, but tonight wasn’t about business. It was Bryce’s birthday, and after a few drinks, the dares had started.
“Fine,” Garrett said, setting the glass down with a sharp clink. “What’s the dare?”
“Go talk to the next woman who walks through that door. Ask her to dinner. No introductions, no name, no background. Just you and her for one night. Be normal for once.”
Garrett’s brow lifted. “You want me to pretend I’m not me?”
“Exactly.”
The bell above the bar door chimed, and both men turned. She walked in like she didn’t care who was watching, which naturally made everyone watch.
She wasn’t dressed to impress. No glitter, no heels, just a loose tan sweater, dark jeans, and a look in her eyes like she didn’t belong here. It was like she didn’t want to be seen but couldn’t help drawing attention anyway.
Bryce raised his brows. “Game on.”
Garrett didn’t hesitate. He stood, adjusted his jacket, and crossed the room like he wasn’t a millionaire who just accepted the dumbest dare of his life. She was scanning the bar for someone, maybe a friend. Garrett slid into the seat beside her before she could leave.
“Bad idea,” she said without looking up.
“Probably,” Garrett replied, resting his forearms on the bar. “But I was dared, so technically, this isn’t my fault.”
That made her turn. Her eyes were this warm hazel color, a little guarded and a little curious.
“A dare?”
He nodded. “Dinner. You and me. No pressure, no strings.”
She studied him for a second, like she was trying to figure out if he was dangerous or just dumb.
“I don’t do random dinners with strangers.”
“Good thing I’m not dangerous,” he said. “And we don’t have to be strangers for long.”
She scoffed, but there was a flicker of amusement behind it. “So that’s your line?”
“I’ve got better ones,” he said, grinning. “But I thought I’d try honesty tonight.”
She tilted her head. “You’re serious?”
“I am.”
She paused, then reached for the drink menu. “Fine. But if you turn out to be a creep, I’m throwing this martini in your face.”
“Deal. I’ll even buy you another one.”
He ordered them both drinks, careful not to flash his card too obviously. No black cards tonight, no name-dropping, just him.
“I’m Garrett.”
She raised an eyebrow. “I thought this was a no-names thing?”
“Right.” He laughed. “Okay, I’m Greg.”
She narrowed her eyes. “You’re a terrible liar, Greg.”
He shrugged. “I warned you I’m bad at this.”
She smiled then, just a little, and it hit him harder than he expected.
“I’m Kinsley,” she said. “No point pretending. I’m terrible at fake names, too.”
They ended up staying at the bar until closing. She told him about her job at the nonprofit shelter downtown and how she was only here tonight because her best friend begged her to go out.
He told her he worked in finance, which was technically true, and left it at that. They didn’t talk about money or careers or anything that usually came up on first dates.
They talked about childhood dogs, favorite movies, and the worst meal they’d ever had. She laughed easily, even though she said she hated dating. Every time she smiled, Garrett felt something shift.
When the bar closed, he walked her to her car.
“Well,” she said, wrapping her arms around herself. “That was surprisingly not awful.”
“I’ll take that as a win.”
Kinsley hesitated, then looked up at him. “You’re not like the guys I usually meet. Is that good or bad?”
“Still deciding.” Garrett stepped closer, brushing a strand of hair from her face. “Can I see you again?”
She hesitated. “I don’t know your last name, or your job, or anything real.”
“I’ll tell you everything,” he said. “Just say yes.”
She looked at him for a long moment, then nodded. “Okay.”
He exhaled slowly, like he hadn’t realized he’d been holding his breath.
“Good night, Garrett, whatever your last name is,” she said, smiling as she opened her car door.
“Good night, Kinsley.”
He watched her drive away, still standing on the curb like a man who’d just been hit by something he didn’t see coming.
